Legislation in ND takes aim at synthetic drugs

House Bill 1133 would ban the use, possession and distribution of any substances with chemical structures that are "substantially similar" to known illegal drugs.

Associated Press

North Dakota lawmakers are considering a bill that would outlaw numerous chemicals used to make synthetic drugs.

House Bill 1133 would ban the use, possession and distribution of any substances with chemical structures that are "substantially similar" to known illegal drugs. It's an effort by authorities to keep up with new chemicals being developed to skirt bans put in place earlier in the state to try to crack down on synthetic drugs.

The Bismarck Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/WRK8dT ) that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Kim Koppleman on Monday questioned whether the "substantially similar" language would hold up in court. Assistant Attorney General Julie Lawyer said similar laws already are in place in other states and have survived challenges.

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